Campaign on the benefits of masturbation sparks controversy in Colombia

“For the bad mood, make love”, recommends the mayor's office of Medellín in digital pieces illustrated with the image of a woman masturbating. The unusual campaign on the benefits of this sexual practice on physical and mental health sparked controversy in Colombia.

“Orgasm releases endorphins, serotonin and oxytocin: hormones of happiness that can make a bad day one not to forget. Dedicate this intimate moment to yourself!” , cite messages from the local Youth Secretariat, which circulate on social networks.

Hundreds of people reacted on Twitter for and against, in a country with conservative and mostly Catholic roots.

“Those should not be policies of a city's chief authority. It's embarrassing,” Felipe wrote; “To talk about public health and sexual health without blinds or taboos. Very good for the campaign,” Juliana said; “You don't think there are much more important issues to solve in the city?” Ivan wondered.

Santiago Bedoya, Secretary of Youth of Medellín, explained that the aim of the pieces is to “recognize” masturbation as “a human practice that is natural, evolutionary, historical” and “normal”, “because many young people suffer penalization and moralization” in this regard.

In addition, masturbation has “positive benefits from the biological, psychological and social point of view,” Bedoya complemented in an interview with Blu Radio.

According to the official, it was chosen to start the campaign with the image of a woman masturbating “because this issue has been more forbidden and more stigmatized” with them.

For Dr. María Camila Torres, an analyst in sexual and reproductive health at the Universidad del Rosario, the campaign is “relevant and necessary” to “educate in such a conservative, Catholic and sexist culture.”

And although he applauded the spread of the benefits of masturbation, he noted as “unfortunate” to associate “women's bad mood with the lack of sexual intercourse or self-stimulation.”

The mayor's office announced that men will also be part of the communication strategy, although they are evaluating the appropriate message when there are cases of harassment of women through male masturbation in public spaces.

“We are trying to consolidate a safer and kinder male gaze towards women who have suffered abuse,” said Bedoya.

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